Apple tree named ‘B. Thome Gala’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Gala apple tree, Apple Tree named ‘B. Thome Gala’, originating as a whole tree mutation of the  Malus domestica  variety of ‘Simmons’, (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,840). This new variety is unique from its parent and other Gala cultivars in the prominent wide striping of the fruit and the heavy pink coloration in the blossom bud and petals.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Malusdomestica.

Variety denomination: ‘B. Thome Gala’.

DESCRIPTIONS OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

The new variety, ‘B. Thome Gala’ differs from its parent, ‘Simmons’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,840) and other Gala varieties in the followingcharacteristics:

-   -   A. The new variety differs from its parent ‘Simmons’ (U.S. Plant        Pat. No. 10,840) in the broad configuration of its stripe and in        the intense pink coloration of the blossom buds and blossoms.    -   B. The new variety differs from ‘Burkitt Gala’ (U.S. Plant Pat.        No. 17,013) in its maturity date. The new variety ripens with        other Gala cultivars while ‘Burkitt Gala’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.        17,013) ripens 10 days earlier.    -   C. The new variety differs from ‘Smith Gala’ (U.S. Plant Pat.        No. 14,448) in the bloom timing. ‘Smith Gala’ (U.S. Plant Pat.        No. 14,448) blooms later than its parent and other Gala        cultivars including the new variety.    -   D. The new variety differs from ‘Banning Gala’ (U.S. Plant Pat.        No. 13,753) and all other known Gala cultivars in the intense        pink coloration of the blossom buds and blossoms.    -   E. The new variety differs from ‘McLaughlin Gala’ (U.S. Plant        Pat. No. 19,007) in the red coloration of its fruits.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A new and distinct variety of Gala apple tree origination as a wholetree mutation of the Malus domestica variety of ‘Simmons’ (U.S. PlantPat. No. 10,840) hereinafter referred to as the ‘B. Thome Gala’. Thisnew sport is unique from its parent and other Gala cultivars in theprominent wide striping on the fruit and the heavy pink coloration inthe blossom buds and petals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This new and distinct variety of Gala apple tree was discovered in 2003as a whole tree mutation of ‘Simmons’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,840), inan orchard planted in 1999 near Comstock Park, Mich. The new variety wasnoticed because the fruit had a more prominent stripe and the buds andblossoms exhibited more pink coloration than the parent, ‘Simmons’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 10,840).

Observations during the next two seasons confirmed that the fruitcolored with a bold, thick stripe as opposed to the parent which colorswith a fine stripe. The blossoms and blossom buds of the new varietyexhibited a much higher degree of pink coloration than the parent.

In August of 2003, buds were taken from the original tree and trees forfurther testing were reproduced by chip budding into M9 RN29, (US PlantPat. No. 10,714) rootstock in Brentwood, Calif. The new variety hasremained true to the description herein contained. The new variety hasnot been grown on its own root.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new varietyas depicted in color as nearly true as is reasonably possible in colorillustrations of this character. These specimens were obtained inComstock Park, Kent County, Mich., 49345.

FIG. 1 illustrates the fruits and foliage of the new variety atmaturity.

FIG. 2 illustrates 6 specimens of the fruit of the new variety showingthe prominent stripe.

FIG. 3 illustrates blossoms of the new variety showing the pinkcoloration of buds and blossoms.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of the ‘B. Thome Gala’ cultivar follows using TheRoyal Horticultural Society of London Colour Chart, 1986 edition, forcolor identification except where general color terms are sufficient.

-   Parentage: A whole tree mutation of ‘Simmons’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.    10,840). Locality of the original discovery and observations is 1600    Eight Mile Road, Comstock Park, Mich. 49321.-   Tree:    -   -   Age.—6 years.        -   Size.—Large, height 2.5 m, width 1 m.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, yearly growth averages 1 m.        -   Density.—Medium.        -   Form.—Upright, spreading.        -   Production.—Very productive, averaging 800 bushels per acre.        -   Growth type.—Non-spur.        -   Bearing.—Annual.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—68 cm at 40 cm above ground level.        -   Bark.—Smooth, color Grey 201C with an undercolor of Grayed            Orange 165C.        -   Lenticels.—2 mm to 8 mm in length, 1 mm in width, color            Grayed Orange 165C.-   Branches:    -   -   5 year old branch.—28 mm in diameter, color Gray 201C.        -   4 year old branch.—16 mm in diameter, color Gray 201C.        -   3 year old branch.—11 mm in diameter, length 30 cm to 40 cm,            color Gray 201C.        -   2 year old branch.—6 mm in diameter, length 25 cm to 40 cm,            color Gray 201B.        -   1 year old branch.—1.5 mm to 2.0 mm in diameter, length 25            to 40 cm, color Grayed Purple 183A, lenticels 0.1 mm in            diameter, round, color Grayed Yellow 161A.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Length 110 mm to 120 mm, width 75 mm to 85 mm.        -   Texture.—Leathery, crisp.        -   Form.—Broadly lanceolate.        -   Base.—Bluntly pointed.        -   Apex.—Bluntly pointed.        -   Adaxial surface pubescence.—None.        -   Abaxial pubescence.—Very fine.        -   Adaxial surface color.—Yellow Green 147A.        -   Abaxial surface color.—Yellow Green 147C.        -   Venation.—Pinnate, 10-12 veins, mainly alternate.        -   Mid-vein.—Mainly Yellow Green 151C.        -   Margin.—Serrate.        -   Leaf glands.—Absent.        -   Petiole length.—30 mm to 45 mm.        -   Petiole width.—2 mm.        -   Petiole color.—Yellow Green 14 B with some Red Purple 60B at            base and at abscission layer.        -   Petiole groove.—None observed.        -   Stipules.—Very fine, at the base of the petiole on almost            all leaves.        -   Stipule length.—7 mm.        -   Stipule width.—0.5 mm.        -   Stipule color.—Yellow Green 147B.-   Leaf buds:    -   -   Length.—5 mm.        -   Width.—4 mm.        -   Color.—Grayed Purple 183A.        -   Placement on branch.—Tightly applied to the branch.        -   Internode distance.—30 mm.-   Spurs: Present on 2^(nd) year and older wood.    -   -   Length.—6 to 8 mm.        -   Width.—4 to 6 mm.        -   Color.—Grayed Orange 177A.-   Flowers: Mid-season bloom, May 13 in Comstock Park, Mich.    -   -   Pollination requirements.—Any diploid variety in the same            season except pollen from golden delicious or any other gala            sport.        -   Presentation.—Very showy.        -   Fragrance.—Fragrant.-   Flowers at popcorn stage:    -   -   Pedicle.—Length 18 mm to 22 mm, diameter 2 mm.        -   Pedicel color.—Grayed Green 195A.        -   Bud.—Length 9 mm, width 7 mm to 8 mm.        -   Bud color.—Full blush of Red Purple 73B with background of            White 155D.-   Flowers at full bloom:    -   -   Corolla diameter.—Large, 75 mm to 85 mm when fully open.        -   Number of flowers per cluster.—3 to 5.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: free. Color: White 155D with a distinct            blush throughout of Red Purple 73B, especially prominent            around veins. Petal Veins: White 155D on 30% of petals,            remaining petals showing distinct vein coloration of Red            Purple 73B extending from base of petal to apex. Shape:            Broadly ovate, base rounded to abruptly cuneate at junction            with receptacle, apex rounded with slight tip. Entire petal            is cupped. Basin is 5 mm deep. Margin: straight with            occasional ruffling at the apex. Size: length 30 mm to 35            mm, width 20 mm to 25 mm. Texture: firm.        -   Pedicel.—Length 25 mm to 27 mm, width 2 mm, color Yellow            Green 145D.        -   Sepals.—5 in number, wedge shaped, sharply pointed, length 5            mm, width 5 mm, color Yellow Green 145D.        -   Filaments.—Length 10 mm to 12 mm, width 0.3 mm, color White            155D at junction with anther.        -   Anthers.—Length 2 mm, width 1 mm, color Yellow 4C.        -   Pistil.—Held slightly lower than anthers in a majority of            blossoms.        -   Ovary.—Length 4 mm, width 1.5 mm, pubescent, color Yellow            Green 145D.        -   Stigma.—Width 1 mm, pubescent, color Green White 157C.        -   Style.—Length 3 mm, width 1 mm, color Green White 157C.-   Fruit: Maturity when described, firm ripe.    -   -   Harvest time.—September 5 through 10 in Kent County, Mich.        -   Size.—Uniform, axial diameter 8 cm, transverse diameter 7.5            cm.        -   Form.—Globose.        -   Cavity.—Symmetrical, abrupt at base, apex acuminate, depth            1.5 cm, breadth 2 cm, markings none.        -   Basin.—Symmetrical, rounded, wide, breadth 2.5 cm, depth 1.5            cm, markings none.        -   Calyx.—Closed.        -   Segments.—Broadly lanceolate, reflexed from base at apex,            approximate.        -   Outer surface.—Pubescent, color Grayed Green 191B.        -   Inner surface.—Pubescent, color Grayed Green 191C.        -   Eye.—Closed.-   Skin: Thin, smooth, waxed, glossy.    -   -   General color effect.—Bright, prominent, wide red stripe            over 100% of fruit, background red, very attractive            appearance.        -   Stripe.—Averages 10 mm to 15 mm in width covering the entire            length of the fruit. Color Red 46A to Red 45A.        -   Background color.—Yellow 8 B.        -   Dots.—Round, 1 mm in diameter, scattered throughout surface,            color Yellow 8B.        -   Flesh.—Juicy, satiny.        -   Color.—Yellow Orange 19D.        -   Texture.—Firm, tender, fine, crisp.        -   Flavor.—Sweet, aromatic.        -   Quality.—Best.-   Core:    -   -   Bundle area.—Small, oblate.        -   Bundles.—Inconspicuous, in one whorl.        -   Core lines.—Clasping, indistinct.        -   Calyx-tube.—Funnel form, glabrous toward base.        -   Stem of funnel.—Long.        -   Depth of tube to shoulder.—9 mm.        -   Entire depth.—21 mm.        -   Auxiliary cavity.—Present.        -   Seed cells.—Axial, open.        -   Cell walls.—Medium thin.        -   Length.—16 mm.        -   Breadth.—6 mm.        -   Longitudinal section.—Orbicular, obtuse at apex.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Cross section.—Broad.-   Seeds:    -   -   Number perfect.—6 to 10.        -   Number in one cell.—2.        -   Length.—7 mm.        -   Breadth.—4 mm.        -   Color.—Brown 200B.-   Stem: Length 2.5 cm, breadth 6 mm at head decreasing to 4 mm at    base, clubbed at head.    -   -   Color.—Grayed Orange 166B.-   Use: Processing, fresh market, dessert.-   Shipping quality: Good, subject to stem puncture.-   Keeping quality: Excellent, 90 to 120 days in common storage, 6    months in controlled atmosphere storage.-   Tree winter hardiness: Average for an apple variety. Tree is hardy    to −20° to −25° F.-   Bud winter hardiness: −10° to −15° F., depending on the stage of    development of the bud.-   Drought tolerance: Average for an apple variety. Normal requirements    average ½″ of rain per week. Severe drought adversely affects fruit    size and quality.-   Disease resistance: Susceptible to fire blight (Erwinia amylovora)    and other bacterial diseases. Moderately susceptible to apple scab    (Venturia inaequalis), powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha), and    other fungal diseases.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of apple tree, Malus domestica,substantially as herein shown and described.